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![]() Recycling Benefits the Bottom Line
By Brett Thompson, Laird Plastics
Read on...this may just get your wheels turning.
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Not long ago, I was invited to "career day" at our local elementary school to present to a group of sixth graders about plastics and plastic recycling. I asked two questions at the outset, to get a feel for their plastics IQ, the first one being "What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think about plastics?" Almost every response had something to do with "thousands of years in landfills", "killing birds and fish", or "polluting the planet". The second, "How many things can you name that are made of plastic?" and the list was endless: Barbie dolls, toys, water bottles, playground equipment, etc., as well as many adult answers, like cars, airplanes, Ipods and computers. Kids knew more than I thought. The truth is, plastics are everywhere, and we use them for just about everything, but despite their benefits and daily use, there is a fundamental disconnect between consumers and the plastic industry.
The Public-Plastic Divide This is not to say that Americans have not been "recycling" plastics for many years, but herein lies the problem. What does it mean to say one recycles? If I give my scrap to a guy in a truck with a recycling logo on the door panel, am I recycling? If I stuff a shipping container full of plastic garbage, and export it to a third world country, am I recycling? If I broker scrap materials out to the highest bidder, am I recycling? Do I trust my recycler to do the right thing, and have my best interest at heart? I am in the business, and have to work hard to get satisfactory answers to many of these questions. How in the world is a sign shop, digital print provider or large format graphics house supposed to vet this process while maintaining their business?
Recycling, Debunked Unfortunately, not everything collected is suitable to be reincorporated into a high-performance plastic. For this reason, we have developed a "tiered" outlet strategy that minimizes landfilled waste, and looks to improve our "waste behavior". The concept is similar to that of a sifting tower. Materials are received, evaluated and aggregated in such a way as to maximize domestic recyclability and minimize disposal.
Top Tier Extrusion Partners
Secondary/Tertiary Extruders/Injection Molders
Processing/Compounding
International Recycling Partners/Exporters
Waste to Energy/Thermal Exchange
Landfill
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Products & Business Further still, Product A has to be similarly horrible for the carbon offset to make sense. Marginal product improvements supplied through fewer, less fluid supply channels are ultimately an exercise in futility. If Product A is recyclable, it is generally more sustainable than boutique green products for the simple fact of logistics. Domestic products are more sustainable than imported materials. Styrene, for example, is much more environmentally sound than most alternatives because it is produced in many different locations, and is readily recyclable. We also believe that recycling is more sustainable than biodegradeability. The addition of microbial feedstock to plastic not only encourages the very behavior we are trying to improve (landfilling versus recycling), we also run the risk of contaminating established recycling streams. Rarely a day goes by without fielding a call from a client looking for a "greener" product than what they are currently using. The goose chase used to begin with hours spent looking for alternatives. Once found, material claims had to be vetted; size and gauge availability had to be compared to minimum order quantities and stocking options before sampling could even begin. Oh, and did I mention price? If the new "green" product was more expensive, the customer wouldn't buy it. And then one day it dawned on me: "It's not the product; it's the process." And the process had to originate from the distribution space. Manufacturers had to be made aware of end-user concerns, and the end user has to understand the capablities and limitations of manufacturing. Until effective communication exists between the two camps, that disconnect grows wider.
Program Implementation The first time I meet with a business owner to discuss a comprehensive recycling strategy, I am invariably asked "How much is this going to cost?" Successful recycling programs actually make money. The worst case scenario should always be cost neutral or better, but you will only reap what you sow. Companies that do a good job segregating material enjoy much more success than those enamored by convenience (one bin for everything). Many people are surprised to find that some plastics are more valuable than aluminum or even copper. But a valuable plastic can quickly become worthless if it is laminated, decaled or mixed with other materials. A highlight reel that typifies the implementation of a successful recycling program might look something like this: "The Company" (a large-format digital printer and sign shop) retains a consultant to conduct a waste stream analysis which produces the following five data points:
Using the above information, a baseline starting point is identified and a customized recycling program outlined.
Materials are collected, inspected and weighed, and as part of the service package, "The Company" receives detailed breakdowns. In some cases, on site collection techniques need improvement to maximize inherent value. A comprehensive annual report reflecting specific recycling activity is made available to "The Company". This data can be used with confidence for any sales and marketing campaign, and/or internal metrics. After 12 months "The Company" has replaced its 18-yard dumpster, tipped twice per week, with a six-yard unit, dumped twice per week ($100/month rental and $25 tipping fee, resulting in a monthly total of $300), and uses its recycling strategy as an effective sales tool to establish competitive advantage. They have solid data to demonstrate a 66 percent reduction in solid waste, while recycling 300,000 pounds of plastic, and several tons of cardboard.
The Resulting Comparison Even if the above example were only half as successful, "The Company" is much better off than it was before, well above that cost neutral threshold, and poised for the future. For "The Company", the greatest accomplishment was becoming aware. Going back to the old ways would now seem archaic. There is only up, only progress, only improvement. We understand there is always a learning curve, and things don't change overnight. You must understand this is not a silver bullet, or a one size fits all. It is work, and requires effort. The educational component and commitment to continually improve never ends. The engine of every recycling program is a combination of quality material and volume, but the process is only as strong as its weakest link. The shock of recycling is that it is something we can all do today. The awe is the mind numbing impact of what would happen if we actually did. Put simply, it would change the world. There are as many reasons to embrace recycling as there are people on this earth. You might have dozens of reasons yourself. Do it for your business, your community, your family or the future. But when you do decide to implement a recycling program, own it, because everything worth doing is worth the effort.
Brett Thompson is the director of enviromental affairs for Laird Plastics. He manages Laird's environmental business unit (LP R·E·C Laird Plastics Recycling Environmental Consulting), which is solely committed to plastics recycling and sustainable supply chain management. Brett has served on the SGIA Environmental and Membership Committees. Laird Plastics is a Sustainable Green Printing Partnetship Gold Level Sponsor. bthompson@lairdplastics.com
This article appeared in the SGIA Journal, July/August 2012 Issue and is reprinted with permission. Copyright 2012 Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (www.sgia.org). All Rights Reserved.
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